February 22nd 2024.
Sylvester Stallone, the renowned action legend, has recently opened up about the toll that doing his own stunts has taken on his body. Despite being 77 years old, Stallone has always been known for his willingness to perform his own stunts, even in his early days as the iconic boxer Rocky. However, as he revealed in the fourth episode of the latest season of his reality show, The Family Stallone, this decision has come with some serious consequences.
During the filming of the first Expendables movie, almost 15 years ago, Stallone suffered a serious injury to his spine while performing a stunt with his co-star, WWE legend Steve Austin. "There's something romantic about doing your own stunts," Stallone shared, "but there's also something very unromantic about the aftermath." He went on to explain that he could feel the impact of the stunt and has been silently suffering from the resulting pain ever since.
In fact, Stallone has had to undergo a total of seven back surgeries, including a metal plate in his neck and spinal fusions, as a result of that one moment on set. His daughter Sistine recalls that her entire childhood was marked by her father's constant pain, but he always did his best to push through and be present. Stallone's wife, Jennifer Flavin, added that he tries to hide his injuries and doesn't like people to know about his surgeries.
In the episode, Stallone was preparing for his seventh back surgery, hoping that it would bring him some relief and a more comfortable life. This injury has also changed his stance on doing his own stunts, and he now strongly advises against it. "I never recovered from Expendables 1," he shared, "so I warn people, don't do your own stunts."
Despite the physical toll, Stallone continued to work and even filmed a famous movie with two broken legs. This determination and dedication to his craft have earned him a reputation as a strict and hard-working actor. His daughter recalls that he even made her carry a knife in her schoolbag, just to keep her safe. However, as Flavin noted, "Sly tries to mask the pain and pretend like it didn't happen."
Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Stallone is now on the road to recovery. As his family and fans continue to support him, he hopes to return to his active lifestyle soon. As he said in the episode, "There's a reason why most actors don't do their own stunts - because it can really hurt." And as for his advice to others, "Don't do your own stunts."
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